Talking-machine.



CJE. WOODS.

TALKINfi MACHINE. APPLI CATlON FILED SEPT. 13. m3.

1 484,907. Patented May 30, 1910.

5 SHEETS SHEEI I.

c. woous. TALKING MACHINE.

A PLICRT'ON FILED SEPT- 13. 1913: 1,184,907, Patented May 30, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2'.

c. E. wows, TALKING MACHiNE.

APPLICA HON FLED SEPT. 3,19I3- Pnmlred May 30, 1916.

5 SHEETS SHEET 3.

/ I nucn/toz llilluilli C. E. WOODS.

TALKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 13. m 3.

Paltvnted May 30, 1916. 191849907 5 SHELTS $HEET4.

flare/ far C. E. WOODS.

TALKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLED SEPT. \3. 1913.

1,184,907. lfltvntud May 30, 1916.

5 SHEETS--$HEET J shafts operating the record.

CLINTON E. WOODS. 0F BRIDGEPOTRT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNORTO AMERICAN GRAPHO- PHONE COMPANY, OF BRIDGEPORT. CONNECTICUT. A CORPORATION OF GINIA.

WEST vm- TALKING-MACHINE.

Application filed September 13, 1913.

To all whom it may concern lie it known that I. Cuxrox E. Woons, of Bridgeport. Connecticut, have invented and useful Improvement in Talking- Machines. which invention is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to talking machines, and has for its object to simplify and improve the construction thereof. to the end that the cost of construction of the machine may be materially reduced. while at the same time increasing the efficiency and accuracy of operation thereof. and rendering it free from vibrations due to the operation of the parts. whichvibrations would materially interfere with the reproduction of the sound-vibrations. I

In talking machines as constructed at the present time. comprising a motor and a record propelled thereby. there is usually provided a speed-governor for the motor, and a speed-indicator for indicating the number of revolutions per minute imparted by the motor to the record: and in some instances. a suitable start-and-stop mechanism is associated with the parts. for the-purpose of automatically starting or stopping the machine. said start-and-stop mechanism comprising. as one of its elements. a driven shaft controlling its operation.

By the present invention. the several speed-governor, speed-indicator and start-and-stop mechanism. are operatively connected tor-shaft in an improved way. and all of the shafts find bearing in a suitable frame, preferably integrally cast of some such metal as aluminum. whereby the accuracy of location of the bearings is enhanced. and the freedom from vibration or play of the parts is obtained.

In accordance with the invention the metal framecarrying the record table. the motor. the speed governor, the speed indicator and the start-andstop mechanism, is suspended from the motor-board which is formed of thin sheet metal, and is therefore more or less flexible in character. Mounted on the, motor-board independently of the said frame is an adjusting device for the governor. a scale cooperating with the pointer of the indicator. and a controlling device for the start-and-stop mechanism,

, and such connections as are necessary be- Specification of Letters Yatent.

to the mo I Forming, an integral Patented May 30, 191

Serial No. 789,676.

tween these lastmentioned parts and the r rigid frame are flexible 4 any inaccuracies in the location of the parts on the motor-board, or any deflection or disor yieldable so that tortion of the motor-board, will not in any wav affect the normal operation.

The inventive idea involved is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expresfor the sakeof illustrat- 18 shown in the accom sions. one of which, ing the invention, panyingdrawings, for the purpose of illustration only, and are not to be taken as defining the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for this purpose.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view, with parts broken away; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View, Fig. 3 is a vertical elevation, with parts shown in section; Fig. 4 is an end view of the frame of the machine;v

Fig. 5 is a perspective view thereof; Fig. (3 1s a side elevationof the same; Fig. 7 is an end view, taken opposite to that of Fig. 4:

and Fig. 8 is acap-plate of the motor-casing.

showing the interior face thereof.

Referring to the drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like parts. 1 is a frame, preferably of cast aluminum. which frame is provided with a plurality of openings 2. 2, by means of which it is se cured by suitable bolts to the under side of a supporting motor-board 3. and from which it depends, as shown in Fig. 3. The

but such drawings aremotor-board 3 is formed of thin sheet metal and is thereforeimore or less liable to deflection or distortion under stress. The bolts which secure the frame 1 to the motorboard pass through suitable apertures which are located as accurately as possible; but it is well known that, in the. fabrication 'of sheet metal devices, it is extremely difiicult. if not in fact impossible. with mathematical accuracy of location. partcf the frame 2 is a motor-casing 4, within which any suitable motor, as an electrical motor 5, is mounted, the motor-shaft 6 thereof having bearing in the end walls of said casing. One end wall (the left.-as shown in Fig. 6) of the casing has a hub or teat extension 7, and the pro to punch or drill holes ion vertical shaft bearing 9 integral therewith,

and in the frame vertically above said bearing 9 is formed a companion bearing 10, within which a shaft 11 (Fig. 3) revolves. This shaft extends upward through the motor-board 2, and bears on its upper end a table 12, upon which a record 13 rests. The shaft ll has keyed thereto a worm gear 14, which meshes with the worm 8 on the shaft 6 through a slot 15 (Figs. 5 and 6), formed in the hub or teat 7. By this means, the record is revolved directly by. the driven shaft 11, which in turn is directly propelled by the motor shaft with the single intervening worm gear connection and the support iven the projecting end of the motor shaft y the inner walls of the hub or teat 7 renders it possible to employ such worm, and at the same time avoid any spring or yielding of the worm under the strain imparted to it by the worm gear. This direct propulsion of the record from the motor shaft, and the possibility of employing the highly desirable form of worm gear, act to greatly improve the accuracy of operation of the machine and the accuracy of revolution of the record, and to eliminate vibrations due to the operation of the mechanism.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, 16 is a shaft bearing formed as an integral part of the motor-casing 4, and 17 is a bearing formed in line therewith, in a depending arm 18, also integral with the frame 1. Turning in said bearings is a shaft 19 (Fig. 1), on which shaft is mounted the speed-governor 20 and the mechanism for controlling the speed-indicator needle 21. The specific construction of the speed-governor and the speed-indicator is preferably that shown in my pending application Serial No. 770,717, filed on the 29th day of May, 1913, and since such specific construction forms no part of the present invention, it need not be'further described herein. On the shaft 19 there is formed a worm 22, gearing with a worm gear 23 on the driven shaft 11, so that the speed-governor and the speed-indicator shaft 19 are driven directly from said driven shaft. As concerns the speed-indicator, it should be observed that this comprises a horizontally swinging pointer adapted to' cooperate with a scale carried by the motorboard. The scale is connection to the parts of the speed-indicator proper, and minor inaccuracies or defects in the initial blage of the devices do not affect the speed indications.

Referring to Fig. .5. 24 and 25 are bearings formed in the framel, within which is mounted the start-and-stop controlling shaft 26 (Fig. 3), which is provided with a worm gear 27 meshing with a worm 28 on the shaft 11, so that the start-and-sto device is controlled directly from the Yen shaft 11- i In the lower without direct positive construction or assem:

The start-and-stop device ma be of any sultable or desired constructlon. Preferably, and as herein shown, it isof the kind shown and described in my pending application Serial No. 788,827, filed on the 9th day of Sept, 1913.

It will be observed that the start-and-stop mechanism is 1, and is provided with a controlling device independently the controlling device comprising, as a. part thereof, the usual swinging tone arm. The tone arm is mounted in an aperture of the motor-board, but on account of possible inaccuracies in the location of the aperture, or on account of distortion of the motor-board, the tone arm may vary slightly from its true predetermined position with respect to the frame 1 and the other parts of theap ratus. The tone arm is connected to the start-and-stop mechanism by 'means of a link having pivotal connections at its ends which may be more or less loose to accommodate any inaccuracies or minor defects in the construction or assemblage of the parts. end of the dependin lug or arm 18 is formed a slot 29, provided with bearings 30, 30, for the fulcrum of the lever (not shown) controlling the. 'speed-governor, which lever is operated by any suitable means, as a micrometer screw 31 and a Bowden wire connection 32, as described in In pending application Serial No. 787,460, filed on the 30th day of August, 1913. The screw 31 is mounted in an aperture of the motor-board, but on account of possible inaccuracies in the location of the aperture, or on account of distortion of the motor-board, the screw 31 may vary slightly from its true predetermined position with respect to the frame 1 and the other ratus. The Bowden wire 32 makes it possible for the screw 31 to be mounted on the motor-board independently of the frame 1, the flexibility of the Bowden wire permitting theeffecting of the adjustments, notwithstanding any minor inaccuracies or de-, fects in the initial (ionstruction or assemblage of the parts.

Preferably the motor-casing is provided with an end cap 33, removable for the purpose of inserting the motor within the casing, and said cap is provided on the interior face thereof (see Fig 8) with a motor shaft bearing 34, the other end of the shaft bearing the projecting worm 8, taking bearing in the opposite end wall of the motor casing. Preferably, suitable lubricating means are provided for lubricating the several shaft bearings that are adjacent to the worms formed thereon. Thus, the shaft 11 has means provided for lubricating the bearings 10 thereof, which means consists of a bore 35 (Fig.

(If thn mat-lain mounted entirely on the frame mounted on the motor-board,

) formed in the frame I..' I

parts of the appawhereby the. bearing wick 3G saturated with a suitable lubricant. said bore being closed-by a screw-plug 37. The wick extends inward to and through the'bearing 10. and the said bearing is lubricated thereby, the lubricantalso working its \vay down onto the. orm 28 on the shaftll. similar formed in the end of the motor casing, for the -motor shaft carrymgth'e worm 8 is lubricated, and also said worm. Similarly, there is formed in a 39 -(Fi Q3) .a'.bore,closed by a screwplug" 40, w ereby the bearing of the shaft 19- 1s lubricated and with it the worm 2'2 and. the character'of the lub'ricating device'- operation of meshing withg t e worm gear 23. This lubrlcation provides forthesmooth and free meshing worm gears,'-' without undue. wear, is such that it acts to lubricate the mechanism through a long period of time without attention from the operator. Y

It will be observed shaft driven directly by the motor,v1z., the driven shaft 11..and that the speed-governor. the speed-indicator and the start-andstop mechanism are 'all controlled directly from said driven shaft, and that all the connections between the respective shafts i are secured by wormgearing. and'that the bearings for all of these shafts are formed in the integral motor frame. By this means, there is obtained simplicity and 'accuracy of construction at a minimum cost;

and freedom from vibration of the parts,

which occurs when ordinary spur gearing or belt connections are employed.

adjusting device without rigid or fixed bled, and all of the parts made to proper 50 out dependence being,-

From the foregoing description, it-will-be clear thatI have provided a unitary power apparatus comprising a rigid main frame, preferably an integral casting. on which the motor,-the speed governor, cator and the start-and-stop mechanism are entirely supported, these parts being connections. with the motor-board except through Therefore, the unitary :Vpower apparatus can be separately constructed and assem cooperate with each other w1thplaced directly or indirectly on the motor-board.- It will be noticedthat I have combined with this uniengage and ,tary power apparatus cooperating devices mounted on the motor-board but without direct rigid connection to the power apparatus. These are the controlling device for the start-and-stop mechanism ant for 'the governor, which are. mounted on the motor-board and are pr? ide'd with more or less flexible connec to the power apparatus; and the scale e ofthe'fspeed indicator, which is carried by the motor-board but is without direct connection with the parts of the speed-indicabore 38 is be" several worms and their that there is one' 4 a mounted on their only fixed the speed -.indrthe said frame.

-a'ccount of its flexibility lthe comprising ,a motor, a motor-driven,speed-governor,a

motor-driven vertical shaft and a rigid frame 'lth lvhlcll have-their only fi'xed connections,"-a-hori- I iontal thin sheet-metal motor-board from the under side of which the power apparatus is suspended, the motor-board ha-vlng an aperture through which entendswvltli a clearance, a turn-table above the motor-board connectedto and entirely 2 supported by the .upperpart of the vertical forthe' governorshaft, an' adjusting device the motor-board independently of the. power apparatus; and a flexible connection between the governor, the said connection serving on account of its flexibility to:

ossible inaccuracies in the relative locations of the adjusting device and the power apparatus.

2. In a talking machine,

tor-driven vertical shaft and a rigid frame with which all of the aforesaid parts have connections, .a, thin sheet-metal motor-board from ,the under side ofwhich the/power apparatus is suspended, the erture through tends with a clearance,

which the vertical shaft exsupported by thefupper part/of the vertical shaft, a controlling'device for the sta rt-andstop mechanism mounted on the motor;

board independently of the/power apparatus, and a flexible connection between the controlling device and the start-and-stopmechanism, the said connection serving on to compensate for possible inaccuracies in the relative loca-' tions of the controlling device and power apparatus. J

In a talking machine, the combination of a unitary power apparatus comprising a. motor, a motor-driven speed-governor, a start-and-stop mechanism, a motor-driven vertical shaft and a rigid frame with which all of the aforesaid parts have their =only fixed/connections, a horizontal thin sheetde-' be varied witln the combination the adjusting device and all of the-afor'esaidjparts the vertical -'shaftcompensate for i the combination of a unitary powerapparatus comprising a motor, a start-and-stop mechanism, a mohorizontal,

motor-board having an apa turn-table above the motor-board connected'to' and entirely &

metal motor-board from the underside of which the power apparatus is suspended, the motor-boa rd having anap erture through which the vertical shaft extends with a clearance. :r turn-table above the motorhoard connected to and entirely supported by the upper part of the vertical shaft, an adjusting device for the governor mounted he motor-board independently of the power apparatus, a flexible connection between the adj usting device and the gover nor. ..a controllingdevice for the start-andstop mechanism mounted on the motor hoard independently of the power apparatus, and a flexible connection between the controlling device and the start-and-stop mechanism, the two said connections serving on account of their flexibility to compensate for possible inaccuracies in the relative locations of the controlling device and the power apparatus.

4. In a talking machine. the combination of a unitary power apparatus comprising a motor, a motm-driven speed-governor, a motor-driven vertical shaft and-a rigid frame with which all of the aforesaid parts have their only fixed connections,,,a horizontal thin sheet-metal motor-board. from the under side of which the power apparatus .is suspended, the motor-board having an aperture through which the vertical shaft extends with a clearance, a turn-table above the motor-board connected to and entirely supported by the upper part of the vertical shaft, an adjusting device for the governor mounted on the motor-board independently of the power apparatus, a flexile connection between the adjusting device and the governor, the said connection serving on account of its flexibility to compensate for possible inaccuracies'in the relative locations of the adjusting device and the ])O'('l' -lpl)1ll'2ltUS. the motor-board independently of the power apparatus and cooperating with the pointer of the speed-im'licator.

5.'In a talking machine. the combination of a unitary power apparatus comp ising, a motor, a motor-driven speedgovernor, a start-and-stop mechanisur. a motor-driven vertical shaft and a rigid frame with which all of the aforesaid parts have their only fixed connections, a horizontal thin sheetmetal motor-board from the under side of which the power apparatus is suspended. the motor-board having an aperture through which the vertical shaft extends with a clearancc, a turn-table above the motor-board- Connected to and entirely supported b v the upper part of the vertical shaft. an t\ l |ll$tmg device for thegovernor mounted on the motor-board independently of the power apparatus, a flexible connection between the -nection between the controlling adjusting device, the

' ed to and entirely ried entirely by and a scale mounted on adjusting device and the governor, a' controlling device for the st-art-and-stop mechanism mounted on. the motor-board independently of the power apparatus, and-a flexible condevice and the start-and-stop mechanism, the two said connections serving on account of their flexi bility to compensate for possible inaccura cies in the relative locations of the adjusting device, the controlling device and the power apparatus, and a scale mounted on the motor-board independently of the power apparatus and cooperating with the pointer of the speed-indicator. A 6. In a talking machine, the combination of a centrally apertured horizontal motoroard, a rigid frame secured to the under side of the motor-board and comprising a motor-casing, a motor in said casing having its shaft, ,horizontal, a speed-governor carried entirely by the frame and having a horizontal main shaft, a start-and-stop mechanism carried entirely b v the frame and having a horizontal main shaft. a vertical shaft carried entirely b v the frame and extending with a clearance through the motor-board aperture. three pairs of gears directly connecting the vertical shaft respectively with the motor shaft. the governor shaft and the start-and-stop shaft. and a turn-table above the motor-board connectsupported by the upper part of the vertical shaft.

7. In a talking machine, the combination of a centrally aperturcd horizontal motorboard, a rigid frame secured to the under Side Of the motor-board and comprising a motor-casing. a motor in said casing having its shaft horizontal. a speedgovernor carthe frame and ha ring a horizontal main sl1aft -a start-and-stop mfllkzinisin carried entirely by the frame and having a horizontal main shaft, a vertical shaft carried entirely by the frame and extending with a clearance through the luotor-bozu'd aperture. three sets of worm-and whccl gearing directly connecting the vertical shaft respectively with the motor, the governor shaft and the start-and-stop shaft. and a turn-table above the motor-board-cmmcctcd to and entirely supported by the upper part of the vertical shaft.

8. In a talking machine. the combination of a centrally aperturcd horizontal motorhoard. an integrally cast frame secured to the under side of-tlie motm-hoard and comprising a motor-casing. a motoriu said casing having its shafthorizontal. a speed governor carried entirely b v the fraitw-and having. a horizontal main shaft :-Tt:2 tt-flll lstop -inechanism carried cntirthe frame and having a hm-ixontal main haft. :1 \ei'itical shaft carried entirely by tl i awe and jcxtending with a clearanre through the motor-hoard apertlju'e, three airs of gears In testimony whereof I have signed this (11I,BCtl Y con'nectlng the vertlcal shaft respeclficatlon 1n the presence of two SllbSCIlb spectlvely wzth the motor shaft, vthe goyemnr mg wltnesses.

shaft and the start-and-stop shaft, and a CLINTON E. WOODS. 5 turn-table above the motor-board connected Witnesses:

to and. entirely supported by the upper part JOHN R. PETRIE,

of the-vertical shaft. JOHN S. GRIFFITH. 

